Prior to the implementation of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 enacted by the British Parliament, Hong Kong represented its interests abroad through the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices ( HKETOs ) and via a special office in the British Embassies or High Commissions, but the latter has ceased after the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to the PRC and became a special administrative region ( SAR ) of the PRC in 1997.

Prior to assuming that position, he was Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, from July 1997 to July 1998.

Prior to 1997, Chatham had been included in the constituencies of Mid Kent, Rochester and Chatham & Chatham.

Prior to the 1997 merger, Young America was known as being one of the two cities where correspondences for consumer product contests went to, the other being Blair, Nebraska.

Prior to becoming president in 1997, McAleese had also held the following positions: Director of Channel 4 Television, Director, Northern Ireland Electricity, Director, Royal Group of Hospitals Trust and Founding member of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas.

Prior to the 1997 General Election, Hamilton determined to retain his parliamentary seat.

There were doubts over the future of the band when Prior announced her departure in 1997, but Steeleye continued in a more productive vein than for many years, with Woods as lead singer, releasing Horkstow Grange ( 1998 ), and then Bedlam Born ( 2000 ).

Prior to the acquisition of Sim developer Maxis by Electronic Arts in 1997, plans were originally made in 1996 to develop SimCity 3000 as a fully 3D game, in tune with the emergence ( at the time ) of 3D computer and video games.

Prior to September 1, 1997, no longer being known as a " sound system ", THX was removed from all theaters, with the exception for a couple of trailers that THX had then-recently created ( such as its own mascot, Tex the Robot ) in 1996, would vaguely be seen in theaters.

Prior to 1998, the official releases were handled by Vans via Uni Distribution in 1996 and Epitaph Records in 1997 respectively.

Prior to returning to Ireland in 1997, Scallon applied for US citizenship, requiring her to swear an oath renouncing allegiance to any other state.

Prior to 1997, Cleethorpes had been included in the constituencies of Brigg and Cleethorpes, Louth ( Lincolnshire ), and Grimsby.

Prior to joining the band in 1997, he was the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette on her Jagged Little Pill and Can't Not tours, as well as the drummer in the progressive experimental band called Sylvia which, after changing their name to Anyone, went on to sign with Roadrunner Records.

Prior to his election to the UK Parliament in 1997, Swinney was employed as Strategic Planning Principal with Scottish Amicable and was a business and economic development consultant for five years.

Prior to 1997 transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the quorum was set at 20.

Prior to the handover in 1997, the office of the Chief Executive-designate was at the 7th floor of the Asia Pacific Finance Tower.

Prior endowments were $ 538. 4 million in 2005 and $ 195. 1 million in 1997, the rapid increases partially attributed to the " Top 20 " Plan.

Prior to the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the power of pardon was a royal prerogative of mercy of the monarch of the United Kingdom.

Prior to becoming party leader, Martin served as Minister for Education and Science ( 1997 – 2000 ), Minister for Health and Children ( 2000 – 04 ), Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment ( 2004 – 08 ) and Minister for Foreign Affairs ( 2008 – 11 ).

Prior to 1997, the role was played by the Governor of Hong Kong

Prior to the 1997 introduction of " one-fare zone " that came along with free transfers from the SIR to the subway system and MTA buses by using the MetroCard, fares were collected by the conductors on the trains for passengers boarding at stops other than St. George.

Prior to the 1997 municipal elections, the regional chairman was elected to the position from within the regional council — in that year, the position became generally elected by all voters in the regional municipality.

Prior to becoming successful, Egan, Feehily, and Filan along with fellow Sligo men Derrick Lacey, Graham Keighron, and Michael Garrett, were part of a six-member pop vocal group called Six as One and was later changed to IOYOU in the year 1997.

Prior to being elected to federal office, Anderson was a school trustee in Frontier, Saskatchewan from 1994 to 1997, and was the chairman of the board from 1997 to 2000.

Prior to more general use of such technology these wheelchair users could only use specialist paratransit mobility buses.

Prior to the publication of Keynes ' General Theory, mainstream economic thought was that the economy existed in a state of general equilibrium, meaning that the economy naturally consumes whatever it produces because the needs of consumers are always greater than the capacity of the economy to satisfy those needs.

Prior to Keynes, a situation in which aggregate demand for goods and services did not meet supply was referred to by classical economists as a general glut, although there was disagreement among them as to whether a general glut was possible.

Prior to this period there was a general perception that the climate of Washington State was too cold to produce red wine varietals.

Despite this very general definition, in the Prior Analytics, Aristotle limits himself to categorical syllogisms, which consist of three categorical propositions.

Prior to the 1960s and 70s, hospital emergency departments were generally staffed by physicians on staff at the hospital on a rotating basis, among them general surgeons, internists, psychiatrists, and dermatologists.

Prior to Fourier's work, no solution to the heat equation was known in the general case, although particular solutions were known if the heat source behaved in a simple way, in particular, if the heat source was a sine or cosine wave.

Prior to 1840, meteorological observations in Canada were made by private individuals, other entities ( like HBC ), and explorers, but this information was not provided to the general public.

Prior to the 2000 general elections, the PRI held its first primaries to elect the party's presidential candidate.

Prior to the 2006 general election, the county was a dry county, prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Chesterfield Township had been in state legislative district 30. Based on the results of the 2010 Census, the New Jersey Redistricting Commission has shifted Chesterfield into the, a change that will take effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Fieldsboro had been in state legislative district 30. Based on the results of the 2010 Census, the New Jersey Redistricting Commission has shifted Fieldsboro into the, a change that will take effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Oceanport Boro had been in state legislative district 12. Based on the results of the 2010 Census, the New Jersey Redistricting Commission has shifted Oceanport into the, a change that will take effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Shrewsbury Boro had been in state legislative district 12. Based on the results of the 2010 Census, the New Jersey Redistricting Commission has shifted Shrewsbury into the, a change that will take effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Bloomingdale Boro had been in state legislative district 26. Based on the results of the 2010 Census, the New Jersey Redistricting Commission has placed Bloomingdale entirely within the 11th Congressional District, a change that will take effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Prior to the Civil War they were joined by the Roe, Leonard and Stansfield families, who helped establish St. Mary's Episcopal Church and leading businesses like a general store and the Leonard Wax Company.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Bridgewater Township had been in state legislative district 16. Based on the results of the 2010 Census, the New Jersey Redistricting Commission has shifted boundaries so that Bridgewater will no longer be split between districts and will be entirely within the 7th district, a change that will take effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Prior to 1928, the Labour Party and Trades Union Congress shared offices on Eccleston Square, and it was here in 1926 that the general strike was organised.

Prior to the adoption of the rules by the United States House of Representatives, the House operates under general parliamentary rules and Jefferson's Manual but these are not binding on the current House until they are approved by the membership of the current Congress.

Prior to the July 1956 general elections in the Gold Coast, a plebiscite was conducted under United Nations ( UN ) auspices to decide the future disposition of British Togoland and French Togoland.

Prior to 2002, the Polish rank of generał brygady was equivalent to both the ranks of major general and brigadier general.

Prior to the January 2008 general election, the positions were held by Sir Fred Gollop and Dame Patricia Symmonds.

Prior to defecting, Jackson had indicated he would not stand in the forthcoming general election, following Iain Duncan-Smith's election as Conservative Leader, and he duly stepped down in April 2005.